Some athlete and sports figures give their opinions on the election (compiled by SportsBusiness Daily) …

“I have no idea if I’m a Democrat or a Republican. I don’t even know enough about politics” – Jets QB Brett Favre (USA TODAY, 11/4).

“The days of Muhammad Ali and Bill Russell are gone, but the ’60s and ’70s aren’t that far away. It’s our responsibility. If you believe in something, you should speak it” – Ravens LB Bart Scott, calling for athletes to be more outspoken on political issues (USA TODAY, 11/4).

“You’d be a fool not to pay attention” – Dolphins CB Nathan Jones, who calls this election “one for the ages” (PALM BEACH POST, 11/3).

“It affects me because I live in the States, but we’re so close that anything that has to do with the U.S. does affect Canada” – Capitals RW Matt Bradley, who was born in Canada (WASHINGTON TIMES, 11/3).

“No. 1, I’m conservative and I’m of strong Christian faith. No. 2, I’m in the highest tax bracket. No. 3, I’m a small business owner. All of those things point to McCain” – Seahawks TE Jeb Putzier, on his reasons for voting for McCain (SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER, 11/1).

“John McCain has spent his life passing tests in service of our country and at no time in my life, or my children, is this country more in need of someone new to take charge and change the very fabric of who we are, and what we are doing” – Conclusion of a recent blog entry from free agent P Curt Schilling (38PITCHES.com, 11/4).

“It is not about me paying a couple thousand dollars extra; it is about change for this country” – Capitals D Brian Pothier, who said he is voting for McCain (WASHINGTON TIMES, 11/3).

“An overwhelming majority of the American people aren’t doing as well as they were three years ago before those tax credits. I believe in a bottom-line philosophy” – Titans TE Alge Crumpler, an Obama supporter (USA TODAY, 11/4).

“I think we have a lot of closet Republicans in the locker room. … They want to vote Republican to spare their own income. But they won’t admit that openly in the locker room” – Dolphins WR Greg Camarillo, who said he would vote for Obama (FLORIDA TODAY, 11/4).

“Our country is in a rough spot, and we’re going to need some serious change. There’s only one candidate ready to deliver it – and that’s Barack Obama” – Former NASCAR driver Junior Johnson, in a letter of endorsement (AUGUSTA CHRONICLE, 11/2).

“I’m proud of the opportunity to make a change here. What can I say? I’m not real impressed with the last eight years of this administration at all” – Eagles Owner Jeffrey Lurie, who with Obama is publicly endorsing a candidate for the first time (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 11/2).

“And here is a man who will bring these values back” – Steelers Chair Dan Rooney, referring to the values of hard work and respect while stumping for Obama (SALON.com, 11/3).

“It’s time. I’m excited for it, for everybody. Most of all, I’m excited to be represented by him around the world” – Univ. of Southern California football coach Pete Carroll, who said that he is voting for Obama (L.A. TIMES, 11/4).

“What a great opportunity it would be to maybe have a chance to shoot around with him one day” – Heat F Udonis Haslem, on Obama (PALM BEACH POST, 11/3).

“That’s supposed to be sacred” – Trail Blazers F LaMarcus Aldridge, declining a request to reveal who he is voting for (Portland OREGONIAN, 11/3).

“You know what, I’m really undecided. I really don’t think I want to vote for either. I just don’t like what either party is doing” – Jaguars QB David Garrard, on who he is voting for in today’s presidential election (ORLANDOSENTINEL.com, 11/4).

“I don’t really get involved in political affairs because of the way I was brought up and being a Jehovah’s Witness, but it’s exciting to see someone like Barack Obama have a chance to lead one of the world’s biggest nations” – Sony Ericsson WTA Tour player Serena Williams (N.Y. TIMES, 11/4).

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Joke of the Day:

From David Letterman: “Congratulations to everybody who ran the New York City Marathon. And a special congratulations to this year’s winner, Joe the Runner. … 40,000 people ran the marathon this year and you think, ‘Oh, nice race,’ but no, no, a lot of stuff goes into preparing for it. They have along the marathon route, 300 portable toilets, 300 portable toilets … or as Senator Larry Craig calls them, ‘singles bars.'”

From Jay Leno: “Golfer John Daly was picked up by police outside a Hooter’s restaurant in North Carolina and taken to jail for the night to sober up. That’s pretty embarrassing, isn’t it? Especially when police got the call that somebody with big boobs was out of control at Hooter’s and it was John Daly.”